Parks Reap Environmental Rewards

Posted on November 24, 2014

Brighouse Bay Holiday Park in Dumfries, Scotland is enjoying a new lease of life, both fighting and adapting to climate change.

Parks Reap Environmental Rewards

Four holiday parks in Dumfriesshire have cut carbon emissions and slashed energy costs following the introduction of a resource efficiency package from a local research organisation.

The Brighouse Bay, Seaward, Barlochan and Sandyhills caravan parks, which make up the Gillespie Leisure group, participated in the Sustainable Process Improvement scheme offered by the Crichton Carbon Centre. Free to local businesses, the scheme generates a baseline of the parks’ energy, transport, water and raw material use and waste production and makes recommendations on how to reduce this.

All four holiday parks have adopted new practices such as installing timers and turning down heating in addition to larger measures such as installing solar thermal panels to heat their swimming pools. The programme also compliments other environmental accolades achieved by the holiday parks including the Green Business Tourism Scheme, a VIBES sustainable business award, the Scottish Award for Environmental Excellence and a David Bellamy Gold Award for biodiversity.

Douglas Gillespie, director at Gillespie Leisure comments: “Being close to nature with our holiday parks we see climate change first hand and do what we can to limit our impact.

“The changing climate is benefiting the business in itself though, as the better weather brings an upsurge in British holidaymakers opting for a staycation rather than holidaying abroad. The results – a happy local business, a healthy local economy and even greater carbon savings.”

All Eyes On The Farm Business Innovation Expo

Posted on November 4, 2014

The Farm Business Innovation Expo is free to attend and returns to London Olympia on 27th and 28th November.

All Eyes On The Farm Business Innovation Expo

The much anticipated Farm Business Innovation Expo returns to London Olympia in November, inspiring land owners to find new ways to use their land and ultimately maximise profit.

Don’t let the name fool you – you don’t need to be a farmer to benefit from a day at the show.

Now in its second year, the exhibition and conference is packed with inspiration, ideas and advice to help rural entrepreneurs to diversify out of agriculture. More than 3,000 people with an interest in rural business attended last year’s event, to take advantage of the exclusive seminar and workshop schedule, networking opportunities and 200 exhibitors.

“If you’re considering diversifying your farm or rural land, then you simply must attend Farm Business Innovation,” urges event director Gary Hall.

“We are expecting double the amount of visitors as last year and double the insight into the industry.”

The 2014 expo is free to attend and runs from 27th – 28th November. Seminar and workshop topics are set to include farm shops, tourism, glamping, renewable energy or storage, with expert advice on how to identify opportunities, as well as how to seek planning permission and attract investment. The expo conference will also highlight the latest trends that forward-thinking land owners will turn to next year, featuring business advice and diversification inspiration direct from the experts.

Book your free ticket online now at www.thefarmingshow.co.uk

Tributes For Holiday Stalwart

Posted on November 4, 2014

Holiday park magnate John Fowler
has passed away at the age of 86.

Tributes For Holiday Stalwart

The holiday park industry has bid a sad farewell to John Fowler, founder of the largest privately owned holiday group in the West Country – John Fowler Holidays.

From humble beginnings, the company was founded when John left his Merchant Navy ship in 1953 with aspirations of a business life ashore in Cornwall and with just his £300 pay-off in his pocket. Without a house, job or car to help him in his determination to start a business, John bought an old pre-war caravan for £100 and completely refurbished it. He had noticed visitor demand for the independence of a self-catering holiday as an alternative to traditional boarding houses or hotels.

After a round of phone calls from the village green phone kiosk he found a neighbouring farmer with permission to site the van. The agreed place was no more than a lonely grass field, without electricity or roads, but just a short scramble to a sandy beach, and a brief bus ride to Newquay. A single chemical lavatory, plus an outside tap for drinking or washing water, were the only two concessions to holiday facilities. John spent 6/6d (33p) on a small advert in a Midlands newspaper and when cash bookings started to arrive in the post ploughed all income straight into more caravans.

Within weeks he had the beginnings of a very small holiday business. Now a multimillion-pound chain of 14 holiday parks spread across the south west, John Fowler Holidays was recently ranked at number 32 in a list of the 150 biggest firms operating out of Devon and Cornwall.

The company has also been recognised in the Sunday Times Profit Track 100 list of the UK’s 100 fastest firms for profit-growth. John, who passed away in September, leaves behind his wife Susan, five children and several grandchildren. There is no doubt that he has left a large gap in the industry, in many people’s lives and some very happy memories too.

A Welcome Upgrade In Online Booking

Posted on November 4, 2014

The new Welcome Anywhere booking system allows holiday park owners to reclaim their park’s allocations, without high commissions charges.

A Welcome Upgrade In Online Booking

As a supplier, it’s not often that you attend to a trade show with an unfinished product. But that’s exactly what Welcome Computer Systems did at this year’s Lawns Show, armed with their work in progress product – Welcome Anywhere for holiday parks.

For over thirty years the company has built web-based computer systems and their latest online booking system is designed specifically for the holiday park sector.

Welcome sales director Mark Ellis, explains: “Our desire to enter a brand new sector brought us to the Lawns Show and presented us with an exciting opportunity to speak face-to-face with holiday park operators. We wanted to find out why other providers have seemingly struggled to make a significant mark in the industry and just what was expected from such a system.”

Due for release at the end of the year, the new Welcome Anywhere system allows holiday park owners to reclaim their park’s allocations and make the most of selling holidays directly to guests, therefore avoiding high commission charges and offering a fully-transparent booking service.

Mark adds: “While we have always specialised in booking software for hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, we recognise that the parks industry is vastly under-served when it comes to online booking systems which can provide a tangible return on investment.

“Having recently become fully-accredited members of the BH&HPA, we’re relishing the opportunity to bring our hotel booking software experience into this vibrant and much-loved industry.”

New Forest Ranger Leads Campsite Activities

Posted on September 22, 2014

Campers in the New Forest are being given environmental information and advice from a new park ranger.

New Forest Ranger Leads Campsite Activities

A new seasonal ranger is helping campers have fun in the New Forest while helping them protect the National Park’s animals and landscapes.

Chris Marshall will lead bug hunts, forest games and craft activities exclusively for families at four Camping in the Forest campsites throughout the summer.

Campers at Roundhill, Ashurst, Holmsley and Hollands Wood are being treated to a wild time of adventure and discovery, with walks from the campsites to learn more about the flora and fauna, how the New Forest got its name and why ponies have played such an important role in shaping the landscape.

The new role is being supported as a joint partnership between the New Forest National Park Authority, Camping in the Forest and the Forestry Commission.

Pampered Campers

Posted on September 9, 2014

Pampered Campers

The camping pods at Woodovis Park in Devon have had a positive impact on the business.

The glamping phenomenon, or boutique camping as it is also becoming known, has inspired a new generation of holidaymakers looking to combine a grass roots camping experience with a few home comforts thrown in for good measure.

Made popular by celebrity fans and fuelled by the UK's staycationers, an increasing number of switched on park owners are cashing in on the glamping concept; offering luxury camping accommodation options alongside their existing caravans and lodges.

For those parks that have taken the glamping plunge, business is booming. The Caravan and Camping Club has seen a 42% increase in the number of bookings for its glamping accommodation in the last five years and pitch night bookings are up by nearly 5% compared to this time last year.

The Caravan & Camping Club has reported a significant increase in glamping bookings in the last five years.

Rob Ganley, communications manager at The Camping and Caravanning Club comments: “The Club has enjoyed strong site occupancy this year so far, and our booking stats confirm that camping and caravanning continues to be one of the nation’s favourite pastimes.

“With many camping and caravanning brands investing in new technology plus the option of fixed on-site glamping accommodation, camping and caravanning can be a luxurious experience making it a more attractive and accessible holiday option to the wider travel market.”

Kate Paulwell of camping accommodation website Unique Sleeps agrees: "For businesses that are unsure whether to venture into the glamping market, it is not too late to jump on the bandwagon. Glamping is as popular as ever, and its future looks secure and set to continue."

To read more on this story please subscribe to Holiday Park Scene online today.

Dog-Friendly Park Appeal

Posted on July 3, 2014

Woodovis Park in Devon is welcoming guests and their dogs with the introduction of a new meadow at the site.

Dog-Friendly Park Appeal

Woodovis Park in Devon has introduced a number of dog-friendly initiatives to appeal to families and couples looking to bring their four-legged friends on holiday.

Most recently the park has opened a large meadow, adjacent to the site, allowing guests and pets to roam freely. Add to this the wooded walk for strolling on lead and the dog wash facilities and guests have all the trappings for contented canines.

Park owner John Lewis said: “This part of the world, with Dartmoor and the Tamar Valley on the doorstep, is incredibly popular for holidaymakers with dogs. Not to mention the South West’s beautiful beaches nearby, many of which are dog-friendly. We are blessed with some amazing walking country as well as a number of places to eat where dogs are welcome.

“We wanted to extend our offering so that there is space for every member of the family to have a good time on holiday, and the lower meadow makes the perfect spot for dogs to roam free.”

The park has also drawn up a programme of family activities and excursions in the surrounding area which allow pets, including dog-friendly National Trust properties, pubs and restaurants, dog shows and events.

Curtain Set To Rise On Landscape Show

Posted on July 3, 2014

LANDSCAPE takes place in September 2014 at Battersea Park, central London.

Curtain Set To Rise On Landscape Show

Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on Battersea Park for the annual LANDSCAPE show, on September 23 and 24.

Established as the essential trade event, LANDSCAPE is dedicated to bringing the industry together by introducing its visitors to the latest products, services and techniques necessary to design, build and maintain prestigious interior or exterior landscaping projects.

Each year it attracts garden designers, architects, landscape contractors, local authority professionals, and facilities managers from all over the UK and abroad.

Visitors to this year’s show can take part in a comprehensive programme of free seminars, featuring some of the biggest names in the business. The show will be open to the public from 10am – 6pm on Tuesday 23rd September, and 10am – 5pm on Wednesday 24th September. Visitors can register online for free tickets at www.landscapeshow.co.uk.

Vauxhall Half Century

Posted on July 3, 2014

The indoor water world and outdoor splash zones are the most popular leisure facilities at the family friendly Vauxhall Holiday Park.

Vauxhall Half Century

Celebrating its 50th birthday this year, Vauxhall Holiday Park remains one of Norfolk’s most popular holiday resorts.

Offering family holidays and short breaks to suit all budgets, the five star park is a firm favorite among holidaymakers looking to visit Great Yarmouth and the Norfolk Broads.

The family owned park was founded by the late Stanley Biss in 1964, and his sons Wayne and James Biss now deal with the day-to-day running of the park. Both are supported by general manager Roger Finney and a 50-strong team of on-site staff.

Amy Woodyatt, marketing manager at Vauxhall says: “We are very proud to have recently achieved the number one spot on Tripadvisor in our category, and a certificate of excellence award.

“Our loyal customers are great ambassadors for the park, often returning a few times a year. We actively encourage feedback from guests, as we find that word of mouth and customer reviews often attract new holidaymakers.”

As one of the first parks in the country to offer caravans with running water and electric in the 1960s, Vauxhall’s accommodation options have come a long way in the last 50 years. The park now accommodates approximately 430 bespoke holiday homes, including 48 chalets, plus 200 standard camping pitches and 13 super pitches.

There is also an ongoing investment strategy to replace older holiday homes to keep at the forefront of comfort and design. This year the Vauxhall team have introduced a new and exclusive owners site, following requests from returning customers, as well as investing in a new range of holiday homes and glamping mega pods.

To read more on Vauxhall Holiday Park, please subscribe online.

First Guests Arrive At Woburn Center Parcs

Posted on July 3, 2014

Center Parcs Woburn Forest Village is predicted to inject £20 million into the local economy.

First Guests Arrive At Woburn Center Parcs

The doors were officially opened at the fifth Center Parcs village at the beginning of June, with an estimated 350,000 guests expected to visit each year. It is hoped that the village will inject over £20 million into the regional economy annually.

Martin Dalby, CEO of Center Parcs, said: “After years of hard work, dedication and passion, we’re thrilled to be welcoming our first guests to Woburn Forest and strongly believe the new village has all the ingredients for a very special family break”.

The new village boasts Center Parcs’ largest subtropical swimming paradise, along with an Aqua Sana spa, 625 lodges, a 75 bedroom hotel, six spa suites and a host of restaurants, shops and leisure activities.

Woburn Forest is one of the largest development projects of its kind in Britain for many years and represents a £250 million investment. Center Parcs owners Blackstone invested £100 million in the project whilst the remaining £150 million was financed from four UK lending banks.

“Center Parcs Woburn Forest will provide a massive boost to the area,” says Martin. “In addition to the 1,200 people employed in the construction of Woburn Forest, we have recruited and trained 1,500 employees, most of which live within a 15 mile radius. These are local jobs for young local people.”

Last year Center Parcs welcomed 1.7 million guests to its four existing Villages, the opening of Woburn Forest will increase that figure to over 2 million.